Former Oakland University women’s basketball coach Beckie Francis has always been outspoken on social media about her Christian faith, but she has been silent since the day it was announced she had been fired.

The former coach often tweeted her religious views and messages through her public Twitter account.

Francis told The Oakland Press last year that she had found religion during a three-year hiatus away from coaching beginning after the 2001-02 season. In the same interview, Francis came out about the real reason she took a leave of absence, which was she had been sexually abused as a child by her father.

Francis then became a strong advocate against sexual abuse — becoming a heavy supporter of “Erin’s Law” to strengthen protections against the sexual abuse of children. The legislation is named in honor of Erin Merryn, a woman from Schaumburg, Ill., who was sexually abused as a child and now campaigns nationally for increased education and protections.

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Michigan was ultimately the fifth state to pass the law.

The messages Francis tweeted varied, including one of her favorite Bible verses: “Psalm 37:4: ‘Delight yourself in The Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.’”

The account also included things in everyday conversation, for example, asking the Lord to be with her during an abuse roundtable she was participating in or tweeting about post-Lenten 30-day weight loss.

When former OU women’s basketball player Jenna Bachrouche told The Oakland Press about her stories of religious intimidation and emotional abuse by Francis, it made former OU Pep Band member Katie Wright recall her religious experience with Francis.

Though Wright never felt pressured and never personally talked to Francis, she recalled an event that took place while she was in the band in the past few years.

“I had gone on a Summit League Tournament trip (in South Dakota), and I remembered that we had to go to the church and play the fight song for the church (for no known reason except the church loved OU),” Wright said.

Wright said the event was listed on their itinerary and was mandatory.

“It wasn’t optional, so we had to go as a band and the basketball teams went, too,” Wright said.

Francis’ husband, Oakland University President Gary Russi, announced his retirement hours before it was announced that Francis had been fired.

Wright remembered how supportive both Francis and Russi had been of the band and the fact Russi was always “very kind” to them.

For now, Francis remains mute on social media, and has not spoken with the media since before her firing.